The Manila Times
HEALTH advocates, academics and industry stakeholders urged lawmakers to craft vape regulations based on scientific evidence while intensifying efforts against the growing black market for illegal products, as the Senate reviewed proposed amendments to the vape law. The recent joint hearing of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography and the Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship focused on proposed revisions to Republic Act 11900, with resource persons weighing how best to protect public health while preserving access to alternatives for adult smokers. Speaking before the panel, Quit for Good president Dr. Lorenzo Mata said policymakers should keep the welfare of smokers seeking less harmful alternatives at the center of the discussion. "At the heart of this discussion are not products, but people," Mata said. He argued that combustion, rather than nicotine itself, is the primary source of many harmful chemicals associated with smoking-related illnesses. Citing a 2025 comparative study, Mata said heated tobacco products showed significantly lower concentrations of harmful compounds than conventional cigarettes, with reductions reaching as much as 91.6 percent due to the absence of high-temperature burning. At the same time, Mata stressed that smoke-free alternatives are not without risks and should remain subject to strict regulation. "These products are not risk-free, and they are not for youth or non-smokers. They are meant for adult smokers. That is why regulation is critical," he said. He called for strong safeguards, including age restrictions, product standards, and effective enforcement mechanisms, while urging lawmakers to base policy decisions on peer-reviewed research and international experience. "In order for us to have a genuine evidence-based dialogue, that is the only way we can do it," Mata added. During the hearing, Professor Michael Eric Castillo of CAPS and Partners cautioned against regulations that may be difficult to implement or enforce consistently. Castillo said overly complex rules could create administrative burdens and increase the risk of uneven or selective enforcement. "Implementation is administratively heavy and unevenly enforceable, increasing the risk of selective enforcement," he told senators. He also warned that excessive restrictions could unintentionally drive consumers away from regulated products and into the illicit market. "My worry is that the proposed bill may undermine its own health objectives — first, by discouraging switching from cigarettes to alternative products, and by driving users to the illicit market," Castillo said. Concerns over illegal vape products emerged as a key issue during the hearing, with legitimate retailers and e-commerce platforms separately calling for stronger enforcement against unauthorized sellers.
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